Place des Six Montagnes Noires (Square of the Six Black Mountains), Colmar

The Square of the Six Black Mountains (Place des Six Montagnes Noires) is on the site of the old "Zum Schwarzenberg," a highly popular up-scale 14th-century hostelry that burned down in 1880.

Many legendary personalities stayed there. The guest list included the princes of Wurttemberg, Duke Wellington, Field Marshal Gustav Horn (hero of the Thirty Years' War who strengthened France in Europe), Marshal General Turenne (who deprived Spain of domination in Europe), and even Cardinal Jules Mazarin.

The hotel burned down at the end of the 19th century. After the fire, the city of Colmar erected a fountain on the spot called the Roesselmann Fountain and therein lies a tale. The fountain features a bronze statue of Judge Jean Roesselmann, who died in 1262. He was defending the independence of Colmar against the bishop of Strasbourg.

The sculptor, Auguste Bartholdi, gave Roesselmann the features of Mayor Hercule de Payerimhoff, who was forced out of office by German occupiers in 1871. The fountain, adorned with four bronze fish weirs, was inspired by the multi-lobed form of Gothic-style fountains.

Square of the Six Black Mountains is one of the five Christmas markets in Colmar. It is reserved for the children's market. It has mini houses, a carousel, and Santa's great mailbox.